Package binding tool



Feb. 14, i950 J. H. LESLIEJI PACKAGE BINDING TOOL e sheets-sheet 1 Filed Dec. l5, 1943 www m.. "IHIIIHIHI Feb. 14? 1950 J. H. LESLIEJI PACKAGE BINDING Tool.

Filed Dec. 15', 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 14, 1950 J. H. LESLIE, It 2,497,313

PACKAGE BINDING Toor.

Filed Dec. l5, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 14, 195o J. H. LEsLlmr 2,497,313

PAKAGE BINDING TOOL 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. l5, 1943 HW I Feb. 14, 1950 J. H. LESLIE, E 2,497,313

PACKAGE BINDING TOOL Filed Deo. 15, 1943 8 SheetsfSheet 5 Il' N) 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 J. H. LESLIEJI PACKAGE BINDING TooL Feb. 14, 1950 Filed Decv. 15, 1945 Feb. 14, 195o vJ. H. LESLIE, 1I

PACKAGE BINDING' TOOL 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 15, 1943 Feb.` 14, 1950 J. H. LESLIEJE 2,497,313

PACKAGE BINDING TOOL Filed Dec. l5, 1943 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented F eb. 14, 1950 PACKAGE BINDING TOOL John H. Leslie, II, Winnetka, Ill., assignor to Signode Steel strapping Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application December 15, 1943, Serial No. 514,343

7 Claims. l

My invention relates to package binding tools of the type whereby the package-encircling flexible metallic binder strap is tensioned, a seal is fed from a magazine to overlapping ends of the package-encircling binder loop, the overlapping strap ends and seal are deformed to produce a seal-joint anchoring the strap ends together to render the binding loop permanent, and the tensioned package-encircling loop of strap is severed from the binder supply. Y

The principal object of my invention is to provide such a tool which an operator can manipulate and operate with great rapidity over longv periods of time with a minimum of waste motion and fatigue. It is thereby especially adapted to so-called production line methods, wherein thepackages to be bound come to the operator in a substantially continuous'stream or lne" and in order to insure against interruption, must vbe quickly anclV easily bound.

Another object is to provide a tool into which the overlapping ends of the binder strap loop may be inserted, the loop tensioned about the package, the seal fed into proper position, the seal-joint made and the loop separated from the binder supply by a series of movements that are natural, and therefore quickly and easily learned, and as it were, blend into each other to form a smooth and almost automatic whole.

A further object is to provide a tool wherein the necessary sequence of operations is insured,` i. e., operations cannot interfere with each other but'must be carried through in the proper sequence to insure accomplishment ofthe desired results. l

A further object is to providev a tool which, for

the number of operations performed by it, vis

simple and light of weight.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear. Y

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation from the side into which the overlapping strap ends of the binder loop are inserted for tensioning and joining;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the oppositevside; t5;`

Fig.3 is atop plan; I l the seal and strap deformation to produce the Fig. fl is a front end elevation; joint, and the strap cut-off. The tool also in- Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3; cludes interlocks orlock-outs which prevent one Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig.-5; actuating handle from being operated so that Fig. 7 is a section on the line 4'l--'| of Fig. 2; '50v the functions performed thereby can interfere Fig. 8 is a bottom plan of the base of the tool; with or take place at an improper time relative Fig. 9 is a section on theV line 9-9 of Fig. 8; to functions performed by the other handle. Fig. 10 yis a section on the linerlll-l0 of Fig. 8; The strap gripping and tensioning mechanism Fig. 11 is a section o n the line II--H of Fig. 5; which, as previously stated, includes the anchor-y Fig. 12 is a section on'the 1inel2-I2 of Fig. 5;

joint, and a strap cut-off G which severs the Fig. 13 is a section on the line |3-l3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary view of part of the sealing actuator mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a similar fragmentary view in a slightly different position;

Fig. 16 is a section on the line I6--l6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a section on the line l'l-I'l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 18 is a section on the line Ill- I8 of Fig. 1; and

Figs. 19 to 22 are fragmentary views, in different positions of an operative cycle, of details of the mechanism whereby the tensioning handle of the tool automatically effects the opening of the strap grippers.

AIn general, the tool has a base or frame A which, resting upon the package X being bound, carries the operating mechanism. This mechanis/m includes a Ygripper B which anchors the lower end Y of the package-encircling binder to the tool base, and another gripper C, in the form of a serrated wheel, which engages and bites into the upper end Z of the binder strap and, upon rotation,'eifects relative movement between the overlapping ends of the packagebinder loop to tension the same about the package. A tensioning handle D serves not only, by rotating the feed wheel C, to enable the operator to put the binder under the desired tension, but also to raise the grippers B and C, both for the lateral insertion of the strap ends Y and Z at the commencement of the binding operation and for the release of the tool after the binding operation is completed. The tool also has a magazine E which holds a stack of nested channel shaped seals, a sealing mechanism F, which receives seals one by one from the magazine, carries them to the overlapping strap ends and deforms or crimps the seal and strap ends together into a permanent tension-resisting sealsealed package encircling binder loop from the source of binder supply by cutting the upper binder end Z beyond the joint. A sealing handle y H'serves to bring about the feeding of the seals from the magazine to the overlapping strap ends,

ing or holding gripper B, the strap. feed wheel- 3 or tensioning gripper C and the tensioning handle D, will rst be described.

Holding gripper B is in the form of a block having a supporting stud 5 (see particularly Fig. 6) journaled in an upright web of the tool base or frame and retained in place by a key 3 engaging in an annular groove in the stud. In

or serrations 'I and the frame therebelow may be plug 8. Gripper B is biased to closed or gripping position as shown in Fig. 5 by a spring 9 but is movable to open or strap receiving positionk by vided between the laterally projecting horns and |2 with a slot 3 for. accommodating the upper of the overlapping strap ends so that the two strap ends may lie in accurate vertical juxtaposition or alignment to insure proper joint formation.

A notched strap retaining dog or latch i 13, which is pivotally attached to horn by a screw I5 and has its inner end biased downwardly by a spring IB, serves to retain the upper strap end in-slotz|3against lateral displacement, as shown most lclearly in Fig.13. However, because of its shape-and relation to horn the strap end may be readily inserted laterally into the slot i3, after which the. inner end of dog ill snaps down into-retainingposition. Lever lil has 'its upper endflattened and formed into a thumb piece I? so that it maybe rocked independently in a clockwise direction, as shown in Figs. 2 and 19 to 22 against thevbiasing tension of spring 9 to separate-gripper'BV from plug 8 Ato permit lateral insertion of the lower strap end Y; but it may also beiautomatically so opened by the tensioning handie-and in normal operation will be so openedas will be later explained.` The tool frame for facilitating the proper location of the forwardl edge of the lowerstrap end Y when the operator inserts the lower binder strap end laterallypinto the tool at the commencement of a binding-operation.

is --mounted on a shaft 20 which is journaled in av link v2l pivotally attached to the tool frame by aystudfZZ. Shaft 2U isequipped with a ratchet Wheel 23, the teethof which are engaged by a spring pressed holding pawl 24 carried by the frame-on a bearing pin 25.` Thev teeth of the ratchet wheel are also engaged-by a spring biased actuating pawl 25 which is mounted in the tensioning handle -,D, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2.- The relation ofthe ratchet 'wheel and the actuating and holding pawls is such that when tensioning handle D is rocked forwardly, or counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, the ratchet arevrotated in the same direction to advance the strap .therebelow to take up any slack and tension the same; whereas, when the tensioning handle is rocked in the opposite direction, the actuatingv pawl snaps idly over the ratchet wheel teeth, and the feed wheel is not rotated. However, retrogradel rotation 4of the ,tensioning gripper wheel is prevented and tension retained by holdingvpawl 24. Thus the slack in the binder loop may be taken up and the loop tensioned about the package 'to the desired degree by a series of oscillations of the tensioning handle through a limited arc or range lof movement intermediate itsend positions.-l The holding pawl order to increaseitsanchoring hold on the lower strap end, gripper B may be provided with teeth.

a lever l0, as will be later explained. It is pro.

hasfa-,low abutment |8f-whichf-serves as a gauge The feed wheel or strap tensioning gripper Cv wheel and consequently also the feed wheel Cv equipped with a toothed or serrated hardened',A

4 prevents reverse rotation of the feed wheel so that the advance is progressively retained. Handle D has a lug 21 which may be moved to engage a stop 28 on the frame and when this happens and handle D is moved further in a clockwise or rearward direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, the feed wheel and link 2| are caused to pivot: about-.stud 22 with theresult that the feed wheel Willzbe raised andiseparated'far enough from the underlying foot of base A to enable a binder strap (the upper of the two overlapping strap ends) to be inserted laterally therebetween. In order to facilitate the slippage of the upper .strap end Z over the foot of the tool frame as itis-beingpressed thereagainst and moved along by the feed wheel gripper C, a smooth hardened plug29 may bescrewed into the foot so that the upper strap end 'will'be pressed thereagainst.

Upstanding guide lugs 38 and 3|, set into appropriate holes through.' the foot of the frame, serve to locate the upper strap end under the feedv Wheel and in-alignment with the lower strap end when theupper end is inserted laterally.

into the tool afterthepackage to be bound has been encircled. The upper strapjend isheld in position against guidelugs- 30 and 3|fby a. retainingglever 32.- 'Ihis lever is pivoted to the frame on a stud 33 and it hasa lip 34, which is adapted to be moved down into a recess 35 in the tool foot to block the overlapping strap ends- One arm 36 of thisbell crank lever 32 extends toa position below and-inthe path of handle f D; its other arm 37 extends upwardly and carries a lug 38, which extends through an inclined, slot 39in the frame to interlock with the seal-A ing-,mechanism for; two purposes, viz., to pre;

Ventv operation of the sealingl mechanism while the tensioning handle isi in yits extreme clockwise'or rearward position where itiraises the feed wheel to strap receiving condition, as will be presently explained; and 'Y to fprevent elevation Vof lip 34A duringv the sealing operation.

themechanism andmanner whereby tensioning4 handler-D opens the anchoring or lower strap end gripper B will be described.

HandleD has a freely sliding slotted plate 52| attached thereto Iby rivets.5| and 52 extending through the elongated slot-` 53 thereof into the handle. i` Plate carries 1a cam lug 54 which is semi-cylindrical in cross section so that it is attened on one side. This lugcooperates with a similar semi-:cylindrical or attened cam lug 55 carried by lever I0. sioning handlerD in. the position indicated in lFigs..1,v 2, 3.and19plate. 50de vcaused by gravity to lie in its lowermost position,i.'e., with the top of slot 53 resting on pinV 5|. Now in order to openvthe Vgrippers and the strap retaining lip 34 of lever 32 for the lateral reception of the overvlapping strap ends tocommence the binding operation, `the-operator 'swings handle D clockwise (Figs. 2 and 19) orrearwardly from its normal position. This .movement ofA thetensioning handle=causes1v it tostrike theprojectingarm of ,lever 32'so asto rockthat leverandraise lip ..34

Normally a spring 40-,-which engages .a.-1ug4|, forming a partl Normally with the tenfrom its strap blocking position; it also brings the lit a stack `of nested metal seals 6| of generally lug 21 thereon against frame stop 28v so that link ohannelshape slidably fit, as shown most clearly 2| begins to hinge counterclockwise on stud 22 in Figs. 5 and 6. The seals are urged downwardand thereby start the elevation of the feed wheel 1y toward the discharge end of the magazine by gripper for the subsequent lateral insertion of the 5 a follower 62, which isacted upon by a spring 63, upper strap end of the binder encircling loop. one end of spring 63 beinganchored to a stud 64 In addition, this backward movement of the tenon the frame and the other end coiled about and sion handle carries its cam lug 54 on plate 59 anchored to a mandrel 65 on the follower. The down so that its curved surface comes into con- .l follower 62 is removable from the upper end of tact with the curved surface of cam lug 55 on 10 the magazine in order that the seals may be inlever I0; and continuation of the clockwise or serted therein from the top. A lifting lug 66, rearward movement of handle D causes the enwhich projects laterally from the follower gagement of the lugs 54 and 55 to rock lever I0 in through a slot in the'rear of the magazine chana clockwise direction; as indicated in Fig. 20 until nel, serves to facilitate the lifting and removal their rounded surfaces pass each other. This of the follower when replenishment of seals bemovement of lever I9 causes anchoring gripper comes necessary.

B to pivot on its stud 5 against the opposing biasf y The lowermost seal in the stack in the magalng force of spring 9 to open position so that, the zine is removed from the stack and fed forwardly lower strap Y may be inserted laterally between into the sealing mechanism F by a sliding plunger it and clutch plug 8. When the rounded surfaces ejector 10 under the force of an ejeCtng Spring' of lugs 54 and 55 have passed each other, the 'H'. as ShOWn mOS'f Clearly in Fig. 5. This spring biasing force of spring 9 snaps the gripper B is put under tension to perform its seal ejecting back into gripping position and also moves leverV function' during the operation of the sealing I0 back toward but not quite to its normal posimechanism as will be presently described,

tion Thus une proper movement, of tensioning The sealing-mechanism includes a sliding block handle D through one range of its movement will 15 which is' adapted GO traVel 11p and dOWn in effect the transient cooperation of the cams 54 suitable guides in the frame, and a pair of crimp and 55 to bring about a momentary opening of ing or deforming jaws 'I6 and 11 hinged thereto the binder anchoring gripper so that the lower on the pivot studs 18 and 19, respectively. Thel binder may be inserted laterally into the tool precharacter and form of the active faces of the paratory to anchoring it for the subsequent tensealing jaws and of a cooperating anvil will desioning phase of the binding cycle. Lever Ill will pendfupon the character of the seal-joint desired. be unable t0 assume eXaCtlY its normal DOStOn However, I prefer and the jaws of the tool shown if the Strap end YhaS been DrODeI'lY inserted ntO are shaped to form a joint of the general type gripping position because 0f the thickness of the 35 illustrated in Patent No. 1,969,152 granted August strap intervening between the teeth of the gripper 7, 1934 Block 15 is reciprocated up and down and the Clutch plug 3- between an upper seal receiving position, shown With the lower strapend Ythus automatically in Fig 5J and a lower joint forming position anchored by holding gr1pper B, further clockwise shown m Fig 18 by Sealing handle H. The Sean 0r rearward {noi/ement 0f handle D Yanes the 40. ing handle is rigidly attached to e. beit so which feed Wheel s tm more to make easy and eertam, is journaled for rotation in block 15. It also has the lateral msertlqn of the upper Strap end Z a lug 8| (see particularly Figs. 3, 14 and 15) as previously described. Thus 1n another range Whichmay t and Seat into an Open ended Slot 32 of its possible movement, the tensioning handle formed in a cam bracket 83 rigidly Secured to effects the opening of the other or tension produring gripper so that the upper binder end may the tool frame. As long as lug 8l 1s within slot 82, or at least bears upon the surface 84 of bracket be laterally inserted into the tool. The two lugs s3 a fulcmm is formed about which the Sealing l apd are then in the relative position Shown handle can pivot and clockwise or forward move- 2lorrgartooegsg srggel; 50 ment of the sealing handle will move the entire sealing mechanism from the upper seal receiving bmdmg 1S ectecl h irst @mung hadllg It) fg; position shown in Figs 1 and 5 down to the lo'ver ward or coun erc oc w se igs. 2 an o into its intermediate arc or range. During this ge (g'slgn'gg ptIIIOPfTTEaeTh initial movement, the nat sides of lugs 54 and 55 to han d1 H nd t t Ww hls dlle .y *28250 e inactively pass each other as indicated in Fig. 22 55 e u a 81mg. ersr W1 t tem elv ingr because the slot in plate 50 permits the plate to aes arri? sgr dv; mth 1S s a lonar yrl'rm e be pushed upwardly. Then handle D is reciprod? rale e th an 1.111. fer movemell o an' cated back and forth within a third ranger of its rliresescrrr Srarfrf grrrgglgmre possible movement progressively to rota e the o cling s rap oop as een remove an he esired tension therein attained. Allat faced guide tmg Operatlon and they remam m engagement post 56 (Fig. l0) serves as a positioning stop for throughout Phe Sealing Stroke of the Seemlg limiting the inward lateral movement of the lower handle and msure @hat the Seann? meehamem strap end Y as the operator inserts it into the 05 rrenrlrans down te lts Work Whlle a 301m 1S bemg tool while ri erBis momentaril o ened at thel a ebeginning gof 1tpbinding cycle. y p Anvinternal generally cylindrical crosshead 90 The orrafdgmmenf it tensimmg tan.; tot???tctreldatowt. r dle is imi ed y a shou er thereon, w ic y 1 e Y strikes the tool frame before the handle can 70 Screw Plug 9i threading ntO a tapped hole n the strike the ratchet holding pawl 24 and by raising upplr Wall 0f the block. The pvot I OOlt 30 nf .the it releas the tension built up in the package en- Srllrrgerldlrharrmrrrtllter-Dmln rrrlldrlrlr; i1-Ging @on a ac er o. 1s m1 n as a oo es a The joint-seal magazine E comprises an upfV 93 and an arc of teeth adapte-d to mesh with a right channel formed in the tool frame. In 15 toothed rack 94 on crosshead 90, as shown most clearly in Figfi Normally theicroshew retained in its uppermost position? rela-tiveto' block'l' by a pair ofballsfl Ellirwhich lie-in'but" are' biased outwardly fromV a b'oreinthecrossheadby aspring |9I. At the upper end of the-travel ofl crosshead 9U relative to'blocks'lvtheseballs are pushed outwardly to seat in fsocket'sjHlV inblocl;4 15. Thus they'insure that thev crosshe'adl and' block travel together while the toothle'ss` arc'ofpinion 92 confronts the crosshead, although when the teeth of the pinion engage' the teeth of the crosshead rackA and the' crosshead begins to slide within block '15, they are'easily' depressed and permit that relative movement to' take place.' The lower Vend of crosshead 9D is slotted to re-y ceive the ends of links 95 and 96 whichare'pivoted thereto by a pin 91; Theilinks 95` and 98 areVv pivotally connected to theupperendsofyjaws 'I Ii and "i by the pins 98 and 99, respectively. Ther reciprocation of crosshead 9'!)Y relative to blockV effects the pivoting of jaws I6 and 'I'I about their pivots I3 and 'I9 to spread or open their lower ends for the reception of the jointseal and to close or bring the lowerjaw ends Vtogether upon and about the overlapping strap ends andv seal and then defcrm them toproducel the seal-joint, and such reciprocation is produced-as follows,` reference being made particularly to Figs. 1, 14, 15 and 18. Y

When during the forward or clockwise movement of the sealing handle H its lug 8I fulcrumsj on bracket 83, the toothless are 93 of pinionv92l remains adjacent the teeth 94 on crosshead 90 and rotation of the handlepivot bolt-*80 does not drive the crosshead relative tol block 75; Buty when the handle movement reaches thefpoint where the concentric surface 85 of its cam 86 begins to engage stationary-roller 81,- the block 'I5 is prevented from movingupwardly, and the -teeth v of the pinion 92 begin to register with the rack teeth 94 on the crosshead 99. Thereafter further clockwise or forward movement of the sealinghandle causes the crosshead to'be drivendownVN relative to block 'I5 with theA result, since the ljaw supporting pivots 'I8 andv I9 remain'stationary;I that the upper ends of the jaws 'I5 and--f'I'Iare sep-fY arated, and consequently, the lower orvjoint-forming ends are moved together toform the-jointseal. While registrationofcam BEfand roller-Y 8? holds the sealing handle to the work; as previously explained, the bundle Iupon which'thetoolrests and the overlapping ends of the bundleencircling loop of binder insure thatthesealing mechanism does not'descend too far.V Reverse movement of the sealing'handle-i. e.; from front` to backhist causes pinion 92-to drivecrosshead se upwardly relative to block 'l5 to open the-y jaws and then, when the handle lug SI begins to enter the slot in and fulcrum upon-bracket 83' and the teeth of pinion 92 passout ofimesh with* rack 94, relative movement between crosshead 9B and block 'i5 ceases andv both move upwardly' together to seal receiving position, which is that' shown in Fig. 5. An adjustable stop |03 carriedby the tool frame and engageable/byV the'top end of block 'l serves accurately to limit the 'upward' travel of the sealingv mechanism so las -to insure proper ejection of a seal thereinto, as will be later fr described.

Block 75 has a cutter blade Gf'attached-thereto; This movable blade cooperates with'a'stationary shear -blade I'to sever the 'upper strap endfr'omv the source of supply before the seal-jointisfmade mergers During thev forward or sealing movement ofV sealing handle H, the spring 'II for ejecting ai salfrom the magazine into the then openjaws 16 is"tensioned or `cocked for its subsequent seal eijecting` operation. link I I J pivotally connected at one end to av lever' 'I I, which is rigidly scribed, rotates lever II |`clockwise as viewed in` Fig. 5, with the result that link I ID with its pin I I3 255 against shoulder ||5 ward end has passed the rear edge of the stack I`- biased follower 62 until the flanges of the lowermost seal rest upon the seal supporting guides |20, as shown most clearly in Fig. 6, with the front end of the ejector plunger back of the Vseals' rear edge,

the ejector plunger and the 'seal in front therethe seal toward the'jaws.

tion, the movable cutter blade G lies in front'of and'blocks 'the' path of ejectment into the jaws sof that 'the' lowermost seal strikes thereagainst and is prevented1 from further forward movement.l

O n the other hand, the jaws and movable cutter" blade continue Ato rise and link II!) and its pushy pin II 3 continue to'move forward as `the sealing lill-handle is swung further toward normal position.

These movements,` without corresponding move`V eal, are permitted'by" reason of the fact that the push pin can leave IIS-on the ejector plunger, retain` nient of the ejector and s the s houlderA ing the ejector spring under considerable tensi`on.`

When thesealer block 'l5 has been raised so that the jawsare at the point where they are in proper position to receive the seal, the movable cutter' l bl'ade is'withdrawn from the path of ejectment and then the ejector plunger '19, under the ten sion of ejector spring lI snaps the seal into posi-v Be'-l tween the jaws'the 'flanges'of the seal are sup-'1l ported upon jaw ledges |2| and |22 and the back' Proper positioningl and retention of the seal between the jaws may tion between the then open sealing jaws.

againstv the anvil |23;

be facilitated by a spring pressed rounded end plunger |24 which, extending through the anvil,

projectsinto a small h seal.

down Ytothe overlapping strap ends when the jaws Vdescend to the work and to be there de-v formed about and With the strap ends in theV formatinof the seal-joint'.

Thefsean-ng block 15 has integrals? formed* This is accomplished by a' attached to the bolt iluso as'to rotate therewith. The' other end of linkj I I IJ is provided with a push pin I I 3 which extendsl through and is guided by an elongated slot |,I4f in the:`V frame and isladapted to bear against a` curved shoulder I5A formed in an upstanding" ange 6at the rear end of the seal ejectorr plunger 1U. Duringthe forward or joint forming'swing of the sealing handle, the consequent pushes the ejector plunger'l 'IIJ` back toward the rear of the tool until its for-f New, when the sealing operation hasf, been finished and the sealing handle is moved again rearwardly to normal position, the link I I0 follows, and tensioned ejector spring 'II causes" ole |25 in the back of the` Now-the seal is in position to be carried therewith a longitudinal key |30 which, sliding in a keyway in the ltool frame, assists in guiding and supporting the sealing mechanism in'its up and down reciprocation. This key also interlocks with the tensioning mechanism so that the sealing handle cannot be operated unless the tensioning handle is in certain positions and so that, the sealing operation having been started, the tensioning handle cannot be operated to release the grippers until the sealing mechanism has completed its work. Thus the pin 38 on the lever 32, which as previously `described extends through slot 39 in the frame, may or may not be interposed in the path of downward movement of the lower end |3| of key |30, depending upon the position of the sioning handle is within the rearward range :of itsmovement where it is acting to open the grippers, the handle has engaged and depressed the arm 36 yof lever 32, causing its other arm 31 to swing pin 38 upwardly and, as viewed in Fig. 17, to-the right in slot 39 so that it will be struck bythe lower end I3! of key |30 in the event an attempt is made to lower the sealing mechanism. Therefore, the sealing handle cannot be operated or the sealing mechanism lowered while the tensioning handle is in position to open the tool grippers. On the other hand, if the tensioning handle is within the arc of its tensioning strokes, then lever 32 is no longer depressed by the tensioning handle and its biasing spring 42 swings it so that pin 38 lies at the bottoni! of slot 39, where the pin is out of the path of key |30, and the sealing mechanism may be lowered and operated. But during the operation of theV sealing mechanism,-the key |30 lies in the path of movement of pin 38 so that the tension handle contacting arm 35 of lever 32 cannot be depressed by the tensioning handle. Consequently during a. sealing operation the tensioning handle cannot be moved to the position-i. e., to its rearmost arc of movement-so as to open the grippers and thereby inadvertently'release tension in the package encircling strap before the production of a seal-joint in its overlapping ends has been completed. i

The cycle of operations whereby a package can be bound by the use of the previously described tool will now be briefly reviewed.

Preferably, with both actuating handles extending toward the rear (i. e., toward the operator), as shown, for example in Figs. 1 and 2, the operator sets the tool down upon the package Where the encircling binder is to be located. With his right hand he then takes the end of the strap from the source of supplywhich as previously explained, may be lightly held between horns and l2, and forces it laterally into the gap between the horn l2 and the tool foot and against the side of the anchoring or holding gripper B-being sure that the end edge of the strap comes close' to--preierably againstabutment I8. At the same time the operators left hand starts to depress tensioning handle D toward its rearmost position. In moving the tensioning handle'to its extreme rear position, the lugsV 54 and 55 transiently engage to'elfect oscillation "of lever .l and thereby momentarily to open gripper B and, since the side of the strap is pressing against the side of that holding gripperor at least is being forced in that direction--the lower strap end Y slips into place against the stop 56 where it is immediately anchored because of the automatic spring return of gripper B to gripping position. The rearward movement of the tensiontensioning handle D. lIf the tenposition, whereupon gripper feed ing handle needs not be stopped when gripper B is thus actuated to anchor the lower strap end but may be continued uninterrupted until it has fully opened the feed wheel gripper for reception of the upper strap end. With the lower strap end thus anchored, the strap is looped about the package by the operator's right hand and, while the left hand holds the tensioning handle depressed to retain the feed wheel tensioning gripper fully open and to hold the strap retaining lip 34 elevated, the upper strap end Z is forced laterally yin between feed Awheel C and slip plug 29 over stationary shear blade |05 and between horns and |2 into slot I3 behind retaining latch I4. As soon as the upper strap end Z is thus located, tensioning handle D is raised from its rearmost wheel C is spring pressed into gripping position, securing the opposite end of the binder loop, and lip 34 of lever 32 is depressed to retain the strap ends against lateral displacement.

Now the two end portions of the binder encircling loop aie secured in overlapping but somewhat vertically separated relation below the sealing mechanism; the lower being stationary relative to the tool frame and package, the upper in a condition where it can be fed through the tool to take up the slack in the loop and tighten it upon and about the package. Thereupon the operator cumulatively takes up the slack and tensions the binder by oscillating the tensioning handle within the middle arc or range of its possible movement. While tensioning is thus effected by his left hand, the operator is able to hold the tool and balance Vthe tensioning effort by his right hand holding the sealing handle.

In the event the operator discovers during the tensioning operation that vthe upper strap is not in proper position-e. g., not in exact superposed alignment over the lower strap end-he may, by swinging the tensioning handle rearwardly, easily release only the feed wheel gripper without at the same time loosening the hold of the holding or anchoring gripper. This result he may accomplish merely by raising plate 50 so as to avoid engagement of lugs 54 and 55 as he swings the tensioning handle to bring about the necessary engagement of stop lug 21 and frame stop 28 as an incident to the pivoting of link 2| in the elevation and release of the feed wheel gripper.

When the desired tension is attained, the operator swings the sealing handle forwardly with his right hand to initiate the sealing operation. The forward swing of the sealing handle first lowers the sealing mechanism to sever the upper strap beyond the zone wherev the seal-joint will be formed and to carry the sealing jaws, the seal and the severed upper end portion of the binder loop down to the lower strap end; and when this is accomplished, to close the sealing jaws to bend the seal about the overlapping strap ends and to deform the ensemble into a seal-joint whichrenders the'tensioned package encircling binder loop permanent. Whenthe sealing handle has been moved sufficiently to have caused the end of key |30 to pass by the pin 38 (which is before any appreciableload comes on the sealing handle),-

theltensioninghandle can beused to balance the force exerted by the operators right hand on the sealing handle. This balancing or opposition of the right and left hand efforts is particularly advantageous when relatively easily compressible' it will counteract the tendency of the tool to tiltl longitudinally:

packages are being bound, since and depress the front end of its foot into the anorexie package .also it :is :easier for the y.operator nto .exertthe necessary sealing-,pressure ifheds fable fio q.balance :the exertion required of fthe-right. arm .bye eounterbelancing,effortin theleitarm. And si-nce both efforts are parallel lto and :approximately vin the plane of that package encircling binder -strapgloon the tendency cf--the ltool to be twistedoritlted is reduced. During this sealing cyclefthe'seal ejecting ,plunger has'been retracted to permit the lowermost seal 1in the magazine for the next joint to be pusheddown in yiront thereof sothat-it can be fed thereby `into the sealing jaws when, after completion of the rst joint, they are subsequentlyraised rto seal-receiving position.

With the joint thus completed, the Operator swings the sealinghandle to-the rear to open the jaws `and raise the sealing mechanism and cutter, the tension built up in the ejector spring during the .forward stroke of the vhandle snapping 2,the seal for the next joint into placebetvveen the jaws when the jaws have reached .the position to receive it and the cutter blade has been removed from its path `into the jaws. Next the operator swings -the :tensioning handle to its extreme rear position to raise the strap retaining lip 3d, to elevate Aand release the feed wheel gripper from the upper strap end and finally, as cam lugs 54 and -55 engage and pass by each other, momentarily to `raise ,the lower strap anchoring gripper B so yas -to break its teeth loose from any embedment in the lower strap and thereby render the lateral jremoval of the ltool 4from the tensioned package binder an easy matter.

The -tool may now be laterally withdrawn from the binder of the bound-package but the severed end of the s trap supply is still lightly held frictionally between the horns l I and l2, and prevented from lateral displacement by dog I4 so that yit is retained 'in the tool in vposition -to be easily located by the operator -for the start of the binding ofthe next package.

Having thus illustrated and described the nature and one embodiment of 'my vinvention, what I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is as follows:

l. A package-binding tool of the type Lhaving a binder tensioning mechanism, an actuating handle therefor, and a gripper for anchoring one end .of the binder against the pull .of the tensioning mechanism; characterized by a spring biasing the anchoring gripper toward' closed bindereanchoring position, a lever for moving the anchoring gripper to open binder receiving position, a .cam lug on said lever, and a cam lug movably mounted on said tensioning mechanism actuating handle, the latter lug transiently engaging the rst mentioned lug when the tensioning mechanism actuating handle is moved in one direction so as momentarily to open the anchoring gripper for insertion of the binder and then moving on the actuating handle to pass over said rst mentioned lug without opening the anchoring gripper when the actuating handle is moved in the reverse direction.

2. A package-binding tool of the type having a binder tensioning mechanism, an actuating handle therefor, and a gripper for anchoring one end of the binder against the pull of the tensioning mechanism; characterized by a spring biasing the anchoring gripper toward closed binder-` anchoring position, a lever for moving the anchoring gripper to open binder lreceiving position, a Cam lug on said lever, said lug having a flat 'side and a curved side, a movable cam vplate car.-

fried by .the tension mechanism actuating handle, and a :cam -lug having a ,flatxside and a scurved side mounted on :said foam plate, :said flugs heling so related that .when ithe tension mechanism lactuating handle is v,moved :in Aone fdirection sthe curved sides of said lugs :transiently engage momentarily Yto move rsaid Alever to open :the anchoring gripper Vwhereas vwhen the :tension :mechanism actuating thandle is fmoved iin fthe reverse direction the flat sides of -saidilugs engage and-.the cam plate moves toenablethe lugs inoperatively to pass each other.

3. A package-binding -tool comprising fa iframe, a gripper for anchoring :one end :of vvthe L-binder to the frame, -a springlbiasing said anchoring grip# per -to closed kbinder-anchoring position, a lever for opening the vanchoring gripper, ,a binder terisioning wheel, a link pivotal-lymounting the tensioning wheel on the frame ffor movement Ainto and out of binder :engaging position, a -,tensioning handle carried rby vthe link and providedzwith means for rotating the binder tensioning wheel, said handle 'having a part engageable Awith ithe frame to move the tensioning wheel-outzof fbinder engaging position when A.the `handle is moved in one direction, -a binder retaining lever forrretain ing Vthe binder in line :with the tensioning wheel, said binder retaining lever having a part lying in the path of movement of the tensioning handle as the handle is actuated :to move 'the :tension-'- ing 4Wheel out of binder engaging position, and means on the gripper .-opening lever :and on the tensioning handle which ktransiently eng-age las the tensioning hand-le is being moved to move the -tensioning -wheel out of binder engaging :position momentarily to open `the -binder anchoring gripper.

4. A package-binding tool comprising a frame,

a gripper pivotally .supported bythe ,frame forA anchoring v,one fend of the binder, a spring biasing the anchoring gripper to `closed rbinder-anchoring position, a lever foropening the anchor-A ing gripper, a binder ytensioning wheel, 4a link pivotally mounting the tensioning wheel to the frame Yfor movement :into and out of hinder en gaging position, a tensioning handle :mounted on' the link and provided with ^means for 4rota-ting the tensioning wheel, said tensioning handle 'co' operating with the frame when moved in one direction to move the tensioning wheel out of binder engaging position, a binder retaining means pivoted to the frame and movable to an open position to permit lateral placement of binder to a position in line with the tensioning wheel when said wheel -is out of binder engaging position and to `a closed position to prevent lateral displacement of the binder from in line with the tensioning Wheel, said binder retaining means having a part in the path of movement ofthe tensioning handle when said handle is moved to move the tensioning wheel out of binder engaging position, and cooperating cams upon the tensioning handle and the lever for opening the anchoring gripper, said cams operatively engag-l ing .each vother transiently when the tensioning handle is being moved in the direction to cause.

the tensioning wheel to move out of binder en gaging position and to cause the binder retaining means to move to open position.

5. A package-binding tool having a frame, a binder tensioning mechanism and an actuating handle therefor and a binder sealing mechanism and an actuating handle therefor; characterized by an interlock between the :tensioning handle and the sealing mechanism -for preventing op.--

eration of either one during a stage of operation of the other, said interlock comprising a lever pivoted to the frame and having a second arm in the path of movement of the tensioning handle to be engageable and pivotable thereby when the tensioning handle is moved to binder release position and a second arm pivotable into the path of movement of a part of the sealing mechanism to block the movement of said mechanism to sealing position when the lever is so pivoted, said part being movable when the mechanism is moved to sealing position into the path of pivoting movement of the second arm to prevent pivoting thereof and to block movement of the tensioning handle to binder release position.

6. A package-binder tool having a frame, a gripper carried by the frame for anchoring one end of a binder loop, a feed wheel for engaging and pulling upon the other end of the loop, a link pivotally mounting the feed wheel on the frame for movement into and out of binder engaging position, a tensioning handle carried by the link to move the wheel into and out of engagement with the binder, said handle being provided with means for rotating the wheel to tension the binder, a sealing mechanism movably carried by the frame, a sealing handle connected to the sealing mechanism for moving the sealing mechanism to and from sealing position and also for operating the sealing mechanism to form a joint between overlapping portions of the binder loop, and an interlock between the tensioning handle and the sealing mechanism to prevent olperation of one during a stage orf operation of the other. the interlock comprising a lever pivoted to theV frame, said lever having a p-art in that portion of the path of movement of the tensioning handle in which the tensioning handle moves the tensioning wheel out of binder engaging position and a part adjacent the sealing mechanism, and said sealing mechanism having an abutment engageable by the part of said lever adjacent thereto when the other part of said lever has been moved by the tensioning handle so as to block movementv of the sealing -mechanism toward sealing position and said abutment blocking movement of said lever if the sealing mechanism has been moved to sealing position and thereby prevent movement of the tensioning handle to move the tensioning Wheel out of binder engaging position.

7. A package-binding tool comprising a frame, a binder tensioning mechanism including an eccentrically and rotatably mounted feed wheel for engaging and pulling upon one end of a binder loop, a binder tensioning mechanism actuating handle connected to rotate the feed wheel to tension the binder when reciprocated in one range of its movement and to move the feed wheel about its eccentric mounting and out of binder engaging position when moved into another range of its movement, a |binder sealing mechanism, an actuating handle therefor, and an interlock between the tensioning handle and the sealing mechanism to prevent operation of one during a stage of operation of the other, said interlock comprising a lever pivoted to the frame having a first arm in the path of movement of the tensioning handle so as to be engageable and movable thereby when the latter is moved through its second range of movement, and a second arm normally lying adjacent the path of movement of a part o the sealing mechanism and movable to block the movement of the sealing mechanism when the tensioning handle has moved said lever, said part of the sealing mechanism, when the sealing mechanism is in sealing position, preventing movement of the lever to block movement of the tensioning handle to prevent release of the binder by the feed wheel.

JOHN H. LESLIE, II.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,874,518 Harvey Aug. 30, 1932 1,900,238 Harvey Mar. 7, 1933 1,924,844 Edwards Aug. 29, 1933 1,939,746 Whitman Dec. 19, 1933 1,996,202 Harvey Apr. 2, 1935 2,072,566 Perrelet Mar. 2, 1937 2,077,491 Perrelet Apr. 20, 193'? 2,112,585 Wright Mar. 29, 1938 2,218,023 Doolittle Oct. 15, 1940 2,257,090 Childress Sept. 30, 1941 2,298,658 Spencer Oct. 13, 1942 2,324,609 Watt et al. July 20, 1943 2,336,264 Leslie Dec. 7, 1943 2,386,153 Watt et al Oct. 2, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number' Country Date 510,139 Great Britain July 27, 1939 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,497,313 February 14, 1950 JOHN H. LESLIE, II

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 13, line 3, for the Words a second read an;

and that the said Letters PatentA should be read With this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 6th day of June, A. D. 1950.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents. 

